Januvia approved in EU as diabetes treatment

Merck have had their novel treatment for type 2 diabetes approved for distribution in the European Commission. Januvia, the first in a class of drugs for diabetics known as DPP-4 Inhibitors, apparently enhances the ability of the body to lower blood sugar levels.
Keeping blood glucose at an even level is the most important part of diabetes treatment. If blood glucose is badly managed, the body reacts by developing complications that can be damaging over time. Januvia works alongside other drugs to improve bodily glycaemic control. For some diabetics, drugs such as metformin as well as diet and exercise are not sufficient.
Januvia has gone through a number of clinical trials in recent years, proving its efficacy for use by type 2 diabetics, both with and without metformin. The approval applies to all 27 EU member countries, including France, Italy, Spain, Germany and the UK . This brings the total number of countries in which the drug is approved to 42.
The president of Merck, Stefan Oschman, reportedly commented: “Currently in Europe more than 53 million people, or 8 percent of the population, live with diabetes. Of these, nearly half are not at their glucose goals. The approval of JANUVIA in the EU provides patients with a much-needed treatment option to help combat this disease, and underscores MSD’s commitment to the field of diabetes.”